A very weak "No" reached her straining ears.
"Can you walk? Come here, if you can."
The figure did not move.
"Then I must get over the wall and come to you."
She was beginning to do as she had said, when the other slowly rose to her feet, and drew unwillingly a step nearer.
"Come," said Lettice, kindly, but firmly. She felt that this was a woman over whom it would not be hard to exercise authority.
Gradually the mother approached, with her baby in her arms, until she was within half-a-dozen yards of the wall. Then she leaned against the trunk of an old apple-tree, and would not come any further.
"Are you ill?" said Lettice, gently.
Again the half-heard "No," but this time accompanied by a sob.
"Then why are you out at this time, and with your poor little baby, too? Have you walked far to-day?"